Ranking every live-action and animated series in the Star Trek franchise isn't just about comparing special effects or budget sizes. It's about looking at how each show handled complex philosophical dilemmas, character growth, and the core optimism of Gene Roddenberry's universe. With more than a dozen television series spanning nearly six decades, the franchise has evolved wildly from 1960s camp to gritty modern serialized dramas.
When looking at the entire television lineup, certain eras stand tall because they balanced thought-provoking storytelling with iconic crews. Whether you're a lifelong Trekkie or trying to figure out where to start your watch journey on Paramount+, here is how the core Star Trek series stack up, ranked from weakest to absolute best.
11. Star Trek: Enterprise
Set a century before James T. Kirk took command of the USS Enterprise, this prequel series follows Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) as humanity takes its first shaky steps into deep space. While the show had strong concepts and featured great performances from actors like Connor Trinneer and Jolene Blalock, it suffered from franchise fatigue.
The writing leaned too heavily on recycled tropes from earlier 1990s shows, and a controversial temporal cold war plotline frequently derailed grounded storytelling. By the time it found its footing in its fourth season, cancellation was already looming, capped off by one of the most widely disliked series finales in television history.
10. Star Trek: Discovery
Kicking off the modern streaming era, Discovery completely overhauled the visual aesthetic and pacing of the franchise. Led by Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham, the series traded episodic adventures for galaxy-spanning serialized crises.
While it deserves credit for diversity and high-budget production design, it struggled with inconsistent tone. Seasons swung wildly between grim war stories and melodramatic emotional beats, often sidelining its strong supporting ensemble in favor of high-stakes spectacles that lost touch with classic Starfleet diplomacy.
9. Star Trek: Voyager
Voyager stranded Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and her crew seventy thousand light-years from Earth in the Delta Quadrant. On paper, this premise promised a gritty survival story where resources were scarce and Starfleet rules had to bend.
In practice, the series often defaulted to the formulaic "planet of the week" structure of The Next Generation. Despite that missed opportunity for continuous serialized grit, Voyager shines thanks to Captain Janeway's fierce moral leadership and breakout characters like the Doctor and Seven of Nine.
8. Star Trek: Picard
Structured as a series of extended cinematic chapters, Picard brought back Patrick Stewart's legendary retired admiral to confront his past. The first two seasons stumbled through overly convoluted mysteries and depressing character arcs that divided the fanbase.
However, the third and final season completely redeemed the show. By reuniting the primary cast of The Next Generation for a nostalgic, high-stakes swan song, it delivered some of the most emotionally resonant moments in modern franchise history.
7. Star Trek: Lower Decks
As the franchise's first fully comedic animated entry, Lower Decks focuses on the support crew working on the lower decks of a secondary starship. Created by Mike McMahan, the show is a love letter wrapped in rapid-fire easter eggs for hardcore fans.
Beneath the manic comedy and self-aware jokes about transporter clones and red shirts lies genuine heart and respect for Starfleet ideals. It proves that the franchise doesn't always have to take itself seriously to tell great stories.
6. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Taking a step back to episodic storytelling, Strange New Worlds follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) aboard the USS Enterprise years before Kirk takes the chair. It captures the spirit of classic exploratory sci-fi while utilizing modern filmmaking techniques.
The show excels by balancing lighthearted standalone adventures with sharp character depth. Bolstered by standout performances from Ethan Peck as Spock and Rebecca Romijn as Number One, it quickly became a fan favorite.
5. Star Trek: The Animated Series
Produced in the wake of the original show's cancellation, this 1970s cartoon brought back almost the entire principal voice cast. Freed from tight television budget constraints, the animation allowed writers to dream up bizarre alien landscapes, intelligent plant-based life forms, and mind-bending physics concepts that live-action television couldn't afford at the time. It is a surprisingly sharp continuation of the original era.
4. Star Trek: Prodigy
Designed to introduce younger audiences to the galaxy, Prodigy follows a diverse group of runaway alien teens who stumble upon an abandoned Starfleet vessel. Guided by a holographic Janeway, the series matures rapidly into a gripping, canon-compliant adventure with complex villain arcs and deep emotional stakes. Its storytelling rivals the best adult-oriented iterations of the franchise.
3. Star Trek: The Original Series
The cultural touchstone that launched an empire in 1966. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Leonard McCoy formed a legendary triumvirate that tackled bold social, political, and philosophical issues of the era.
While some episodes feature dated set designs and campy monster costumes, the core chemistry and sharp scripts penned by science fiction giants like Harlan Ellison secure its place as television royalty.
2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Set on a stationary Bajoran space station rather than an exploring starship, Deep Space Nine broke every rule in the franchise playbook. Commanded by Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), the series explored religion, systemic prejudice, and the brutal reality of total war during the Dominion War arc.
Its serialized storytelling allowed for unmatched character growth, turning recurring villains like Dukat into deeply complex figures. It remains the most sophisticated and intellectually challenging entry in the canon.
1. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Setting sail under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), The Next Generation perfected the formula of optimistic sci-fi. After a rocky first season, the show found its rhythm and delivered masterclasses in morality, artificial intelligence rights, and diplomacy.
Characters like Data, Worf, and Commander Riker became household names. TNG didn't just entertain audiences; it presented an aspirational vision of humanity's future that continues to define the gold standard of the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should a beginner start watching Star Trek?
Most fans recommend starting with Star Trek: The Next Generation once it hits its stride in season two, or jumping into the modern era with Strange New Worlds for a quicker, highly polished entry point.
Do I need to watch the shows in chronological order?
No. Because most early series are episodic and set across different centuries, you can watch them based on release order or individual premises without losing major plot points.
Which Star Trek series has the most episodes?
Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine both ran for seven seasons, totaling 176 episodes each, giving them massive narrative depth compared to modern streaming short runs.
Are the animated series considered official canon?
Yes. Both The Animated Series, Lower Decks, and Prodigy are fully recognized as official canon within the prime timeline continuity.
